Building a world of justice: Children's health care as a foundation

Building a world of justice: Children's health care as a foundation

This past Shabbat, we read the Torah portion Ki Tavo. We are nearing the end of the book of Deuteronomy, the final book of the Torah. Moses’s leadership is coming to a close, and he is leaving the people of Israel with reflections on his journey and guidance for the next chapter. His words are filled with blessings and curses, rewards and punishments for following God’s commandments. Moses tells the Israelites that they “will be blessed in the land that your God is giving you. God will establish you as God’s holy people, as was sworn to you, if you keep the commandments” (Deuteronomy 28:8-9). The alternative is a much darker future, in which “God will let loose against you calamity, panic, and frustration in all the enterprises undertake” (Deuteronomy 28: 20).

The notion of a God whose judgment will lead to punishments or rewards may seem foreign to many of us. However, Moses’s directions are not simply about keeping God satisfied. They are about impressing upon the Israelites the importance of following in God’s path. Transitioning from being a wandering people to a stable, self-governing one presents unpredictable challenges. But at the heart of Moses’s directive is the necessity of establishing a community worthy of God’s vision for future generations of the Jewish people.

Many states have laws that require them to send notices to families if funding for CHIP is running out. These notices leave families scared and children at risk. No family should face a crisis because Congress fails to act. Congress should prioritize funding for CHIP and offer the certainty families deserve.